Conestoga Elementary School

104 East High Street

School District

Conestoga Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 17, 2024

About the school: Conestoga Elementary is comprised of students from 4 nearby communities, including Murray, Nehawka, Union, and Beaver Lake. The communities of Murray, Nehawka, and Union are most comprised of lower to middle-class income families where as those come from the Beaver Lake community are considered middle to upper-class. The good: Conestoga runs on a 4-day school week, Tue through Fri. The school day runs from 7:50-4 (Jr/Sr HS) and 8-3:50 (Elementary) and still gets out right after Memorial Day and still observes the same regular holidays as other schools. Class sizes are small; the goal is to keep them at a ratio of 18:1 from K-12th grade. The current principal has been there for several years and is wonderful. He truly cares about the students, listens to parents' concerns, and takes action if/when necessary. The bad: The special education program at the elementary level is sub-par. They are stretched way too thin as the special education teachers have too many students to handle at a time and during the time 2 of our children were there, their special education teachers were only P/T. Conestoga has attempted to pass a school bond several times since 2019, but has been unsuccessful (unfortunately due to politics). Because of this, the secondary and primary schools have both suffered. The elementary is in dire need of upgrades, and due to enrollment growth, they are outgrowing their space. Before too long, students will be in portable buildings and then those who will not vote yes to pass a bond will be complaining about that. We thought moving to a smaller community would make a difference, but we were definitely wrong. Without a community willing to support passing a bond, the school system is suffering and in turn, it is affecting the students, teachers, programs, etc. to the point that parents are pulling their kids out of Conestoga and enrolling them elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2023

Worst school ever if you’re not rich and from Beaver Lake, or that area, you are not excepted by teachers I’ve heard many people transfer the kids from there to other schools like Weeping Water, or any other closer school by I would not recommend that school!
Submitted by other on April 06, 2021

We've been with the Conestoga school district for five years now, and are very pleased with the quality of education and the opportunities afforded to the students. We are not from the area, and have noticed that there are many "cornerstone" families associated with the school, however have always been made to feel welcomed and included. Aside from one teacher, whom I suspect might be past her prime teaching young children, the teachers have all managed our children - and other students - very effectively. Our oldest is not that old, so homework hasn't been much of an issue yet, but so far - when there's been any homework at all, it has aligned with their current lessons and been accomplished very quickly. Time will tell. We love the four-day school week, and in fact this alone has been the prime motivator to keep us in the area despite job changes that would make a move very enticing. The student-to-teacher ratio is excellent - better than my school growing up in the '80s, and teachers/staff seem to truly know our children.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2018

I think I’ve already stated unite a lot about my concerns and voiced my opinions regarding this school in all of my other responses.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2017

I really wanted to like this school, even with its bizarre 4 day week, but between the staff, being generally excluded and what my kids needed, the very few great teachers and fabulous principal there were not enough. If your kid is a neurotypical WASP brick in the wall who never wants to color outside the lines, this might be the your school.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2017

The staff is nice. Some of the teachers seem to be very involved. Most of the coaches here are from the area and definitely favor certain students, which is probably why they struggle to win in most sports. I wouldn't recommend this school if you're serious about sports. It's also alarming to see how girls are allowed to dress here.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2014

We have loved sending our children to this school for the past 3 years. The principal made us feel welcome and part of the Conestoga family from the very start. The school days are a little longer, but the students only attend Tuesday through Friday, giving them a four day week instead of five. There is no longer a gifted program, but many of the teachers have gone above and beyond to challenge my children. The PTO is fabulous and has transformed the playground with a natural play area, stage, and exploration areas.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2011

Our kids were given a good start and got extra help that they wouldn't have qualified for in other districts (ST and Reading) just because of low-class size and the fact that professionals aren't bursing at the seams dealing with a lot of students with extra needs. We're moving soon, but they've allowed us to sign up for summer school even though they might have been inclided to focus resources toward students more in need at a busier district (both children test at or above average). The principal here is wonderful! So is the PTO!